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Innovative office space is available for lease at the Macomb-OU INCubator! Run your business in a cutting-edge high-tech environment.

Attractive offices with windows and furniture include free wireless internet, ample parking, use of office equipment, unlimited use of conference rooms, reception services, access to the Business Advisory Board and incubator staff, onsite business development workshops and an onsite caterer.

Rents start as low as $185 per month.

For more information, please contact the Macomb-OU INCubator at (586) 884-9320 or macINC@oakland.edu.

MAC-OU INC HAPPENINGS

#LinknerFireside + @MacOUINC (Tweet) = Prize Entry!

Mac-OU INC presents Josh Linkner as the next Fireside Growth Series Speaker on September 5, from 5-7 p.m..

Mac-OU INC will be giving away free autographed copies of Josh Linkner's NY Times Bestselling book at this event. Include the hashtag #LinknerFireside along with @MacOUINC in a tweet (prior to the actual event) and be entered for a chance to win. Multiple entries may be submitted. Only one prize per guest. The guest must be present at the event to win.

For more information on the Fireside Growth Story Series, or Josh Linkner, please visit our website.

Please register in advance for this program by contacting Joan Carleton at (586) 884-9324 or macINC@oakland.edu. We look forward to having you as our guest!

Share Ideas and Connections at Mac-OU INC's I-Hub

Mac-OU INC is opening the doors to its Idea Hub (I-Hub) in an effort to aid collaboration between entrepreneurs.

Part of the process of becoming a successful entrepreneur involves knowledge exchange. To facilitate this, the I-Hub was created, a place for like-minded entrepreneurs to share ideas, resources and connections in an open-space environment. The I-Hub is the perfect coffee-shop alternative for startups and small businesses. Entrepreneurs can make the connections they need, all in a day's work.

Available hours for the I-Hub run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For $95 a month or $10 a day, in addition to connecting with fellow entreprenerus, membership includes the use of the building's mailing address, free Wi-Fi, and scheduled "Idea Meetups" to encourage collaboration.

For more information on the I-Hub. please contact Andrea Chom at (586) 884-9320 or visit our website.

If you are a startup or early-stage growth-based business looking for funding, come meet and listen to capital expert, Mike Brennan. He will detail the various capital sources in Michigan, and talk about how to properly position your company to be qualified for private funding, including private equity, the angel network and venture capital, and/or public funding, including grants, pre-seed, micro-loans, and venture match.

Mike will provide a group presentation, as well as individually help each company present determine their needs.

To register for this free event, please contact Joan Carleton at macINC@oakland.edu or (586) 884-9324.

BBC Presents: SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation for DoD/DoE

This agency-specific seminar, taking place at Mac-OU INC on August 8, presents essential information for crafting a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal that meets the unique requirements for the Dept. of Defense and Dept. of Energy. It provides detailed instruction on the ins and outs of preparing a proposal, including both technical and commercialization plans, and navigating the often complicated submission process.

If you are a technology-based entrepreneur or small company seeking funding for R&D with plans to submit a SBIR/STTR proposal within the next 12 months, this is the seminar for you.

For more information on this program, and to register, please visit http://bbctraining8812.eventbrite.com. Online registration closes August 6, no refunds after this date. For late registration, please contact Jayne Berkaw to check space availability.

New Startup Lean ProgramDon't Just Become Lean, Start Lean!

Mac-OU INC is launching a new Startup Lean program in September as part of the OU Lean Diversification Program. The program will run for three consecutive weeks on September 11, 18 and 25, from 8 a.m. until noon. Breakfast and a mid-morning snack are included.

Startup Lean is designed to help startups get off on the right foot by learning how to use valuable Lean principles to be as efficient, creative and successful as possible from day one to full business maturity. In this class, you will learn: about Lean principles, how they can help startups, how to increase your value-added time, shorten your product development and supply chain processes, measure actual progress and ask customers what they really value. Attend this class to learn how to leverage human creativity, become agile and make your processes more efficient which will ensure more value-added time to do what you love to do - being and entrepreneur and helping our great state of Michigan.

Tuition for Startup Lean is $125, a discounted rate designed especially with the startup in mind. For more information, and to register, visit oakland.edu/diversify and contact Joan Carleton at (586) 884-9324 or macINC@oakland.edu.

Green Belt Certificate Program - Back By Popular Demand!

The Macomb-OU INCubator will be running the Green Belt Certificate program this fall, starting on October 2.

Tuition for Green Belt is $600, with a couple of grant-subsidized spots available for qualified companies. For more information, and to register, visit oakland.edu/diversify and contact Joan Carleton at (586) 884-9324 or macINC@oakland.edu.

VELOCITY HAPPENINGS

FastTrac

The highly-praised FastTrac entrepreneurial training series returns in September. Offering facilitator-led sessions, small-group exercises and guest speakers, the program provides entrepreneurs with critical planning tools specific to their own business. Two different programs will be offered:

FastTrac New Venture is a ten-week program for startup businesses and those thinking about starting a business. It will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays beginning September 10 through November 12 at Velocity. The cost is $140.

FastTrac Venture Forward is an 11-week program for experienced owners or managers of businesses with at least nine employees and revenues approaching one million dollars. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays beginning September 14 through November 30. The cost is $299.

Both are offered by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development and Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center with support from the SBA, MEDC and MSU Broadband Technology Opportunity Program. For more information, or to register, visit www.misbtdc.org or call (586) 469-5118.

With application assistance from the Macomb-Oakland University INCubator, Dataspeed Incorporated has been awarded $47,500 from the Business Accelerator Fund of the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Dataspeed deisgns and supplies advanced custom electronic components for the defense and industrial markets. Staff members have expertise in all facets of electronic design and manufacturing, including schematic capture, pcb layout, software design, testing and validation. Customers include General Dynamics Land Systems, Meritor Automotive, Honeywell and the U.S. Army. Dataspeed is currently in the process of obtaining ISO 9001 certification.

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is an international business plan competition for later stage entrepreneurial companies worldwide along with Michigan-based university and college students. Student and Company submissions have different deadline dates. Check for other details on the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition website.Application deadline for Company submissions is Wednesday, August 15.Application deadline for Students submissions is Thursday, September 27.

Joan attended Oakland University as a second degree student, seeking more of an edge to obtain her desired career. Her initial alma mater, Albion College, was an excellent school, but not enough for this tough economy. The decision to attend Oakland University proved itself a worthwhile endeavor upon her offer from Mac-OU INC!

"I am thrilled to be a part of the Macomb-OU INCubator team," says Joan Carleton. "I came on board right at the time when a lot of positive changes began, and it is exciting to be a part of it all."

Favorite Pastime: "I am in the process of moving, so I am looking forward to sprucing up my new place. It will provide me with plenty of space to pursue my favorite hobbies, including art and sewing."

Last Book Read: "1Q84" by Haruki Murakami

Favorite Food: Middle Eastern

Best Oakland Memory: "My life-changing job offer with Mac-OU INC!"

SPEAKER FEATURES

Sola ObayanLunch and Launch Series: How to Run a Social Media Campaign: Marketing That is Affordable and Effective for Your Small BizAugust 9 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

Sola Obayan is an Online Marketing Specialist with 13+ years of experience in her field. As Owner and Principal Consultant at BTO Solutions, LLC she develops and executes integrated solutions for growing brands. Her mission is to create a powerful online presence for all Michigan-based businesses. She is also the Founder of Social Media is a Party!, a bi-monthly event designed to demonstrate the power of social media to local business professionals in a fun and laid back environment.

Sola is an active member of the social media community in Southeastern Michigan, as she is founding the Social Media Association of Michigan (SMAMi) with the brightest social media minds in the state. She also serves on the Planning Committee for LiveWorkDetroit! and the Advisory Board of PeopleMovers.com

Her passion lies in finding creative solutions for business problems and helping clients break through their business goals.

"David was well organized and informative. It was a great event, thanks so much!"

BOOK REVIEW

"Likeable Social Media"Dave Kerpen

By Luke Cloutier

As social media analyst for the Macomb-OU INCubator, finding new campaign strategies is vital. Dave Kerpen's "Likeable Social Media" provides plenty of information for this, as he is an entrepreneur and also the co-founder and CEO of Likeable Media.

Within his book, Kerpen describes 18 ways social media can work for your business, and accompanies them with many case studies on how these tools are used in real scenarios. "Likeable Social Media" is a great asset for all small business owners, as long as they have prior social media knowledge. It contains a vast amount of information that focuses on how your company should brand its products and services through social media networks. Although social media is new to many companies, it is also here to stay.

As
just one of the 18 examples, Kerpen focuses on how sharing stories with
the public builds brand identity. This leads to engaging with your
audience, and giving a positive image to the public. Certain ways of
sharing with the public includes telling stories of how your company
started, including failures and successes, triumphs and tribulations,
and goals.

Throughout "Likeable Social Media," Kerpen offers insight towards strategies that companies should focus on in marketing and advertising via social media. Kerpen also states "there is no way to successfully use social media as an organization if you simply silo it to marketing or advertising." One of the best take aways from the book is the concept of painting a picture for your following, which are the people that support your company, and follow you through your social media platforms.

For anyone interested in social media for business, Kerpen's book is a great read. It promotes the use of social media within a company as beneficial for your brand. Learn how to think and act like your consumer, to respond quickly to bad and negative comments, to admit when your company makes a mistake, and to inspire your customers to share testimonials to the public. In this new era of companies providing information through social media platforms, this is a must read that will show how to build a strong following from the ground up.

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